The initial signs are positive that Singapore’s economy will do better in the Year of the Dragon despite some uncertainties in the external environment, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Feb 9.
Sectors such as construction, retail, and food and beverage are looking up, with many construction projects in the pipeline, as well as more flights and visa-free travel between Singapore and China, he said.
Striking a cautiously optimistic note as he spoke to reporters at the sidelines of a visit to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, PM Lee said the economy should be able to rebound.
“Growth was not quite as high as we would have liked, but it has been a steady year and we avoided a recession. Next year, meaning 2024, we hope will be stronger than 2023,” he said.
The economy grew 1.2 per cent overall in 2023, with growth in the fourth quarter coming in at 2.8 per cent, a sharp increase from the 1.1 per cent in the third quarter.
Overall growth for 2024 is projected to be between 1 per cent and 3 per cent.
Much also hinges on how uncertainties in the external environment will play out, said PM Lee.
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